Germany announces it will suspend some of its arms exports to Israel "for the time being"
It is an unprecedented decision in a German government. On the other hand, the Netherlands has revoked three licences for the export of parts of military vessels to Israel, and Norway has said that changes in Israeli investments will be announced next week.
GermanChancellor Friedrich Merz announced today that "for the time being" the export of "weapons that Israel can use in the Gaza Strip" will be suspended after Binyamin Netanyahu's government approved amilitary plan to occupy Gaza Cityon Thursday\ u00A0.
Merz has stated in a statement that this plan does not explain how Israel intends to disarm Hamas n, release Israeli captives, and start negotiations for a ceasefire quickly.
"At this juncture, the Federal Government will not allow exports of military material that can be used in the Gaza Strip," Merz stressed.
The Conservative chancellor has stated that Israel "hastheright to defend itself against Hamas's terrorism ", but has expressed" deep concern "about the suffering of the people of Gaza.
"With the planned offensive, the Israeli Government has more responsibility than it has so far for supplying civilians," Merz stressed, without explicitly condemning its plans to control a city with a million inhabitants.
He stressed that Israel must allow humanitarian aid and UN and non-governmental organizations to enter the Strip, as well as permanently improve the humanitarian situation "following the steps taken in recent days in the right direction".
Merz has also calledon theIsraeli Government "not to take any further steps towards annexing the West Bank."
Since coming to power in May this year, Merz has been under increasing pressure, both in Germany and abroad, to tighten his stance on Israel.
Netherlands
On the other hand, the Dutch Government has revoked three licences granted to Israel for the export of parts of military vessels because of the "risk of unwanted use of "and because of the" worsening situation "in Gaza. However, ten Palestinian and Dutch organisations have questioned the Government's ability to properly verify how and where weapons or their components will be used.
In response to questions from the public network NOS, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that since 7 October 2023 it has granted eight export licences for military material destined for the last destination in Israel. In addition to the three currently rejected licences, there are also permits granted for parts of the Israeli Iron Dome system.
In a letter sent to Parliament last week, the Dutch Government stated that it has rejected 11 requests for authorisations for the export of military material and dual-use goods since October 2023.
The Netherlands is already prohibited from exporting components of F-35 fighters directly to Israel by a court decision because they could be used in Gaza for human rights violations.
Norway
Moreover, the Norwegian sovereign investment fund will announce changes in Israeli investment next week, as announced today by Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, . The government announced on Tuesday that it will launch an urgent review of the fund's investments due to "ethical concerns." It has not specified what these measures might be, but has added that there would be no general divestment of all Israeli companies.
You might like
Ukraine has launched more than 350 drones into Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg
The day before, attacks by the Russian Army on several cities in Ukraine resulted in at least 21 deaths and more than 100 injuries.
Trump signs an executive order restricting undocumented migrants' access to the financial system
According to the Republican president, access to national banking systems "must be only for those who have the legal right to stay in the country," and for those who "engage in legal trade."
Russia has launched a massive attack on Ukraine that has left at least 20 dead and more than a hundred injured
Moscow has described the bombing as a "response to the Kiev regime's terrorist attacks."
Trump lashes out at Netanyahu for his attacks on Lebanon: "You're crazy."
According to the US president, an agreement could be reached next week to end the war in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz. On the contrary, Tehran has announced the suspension of talks with Washington .
Trump Announces Cessation of Israeli Attacks on Lebanon and Hezbollah on Israel
"I have had a very fruitful call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, no troops are going to Beirut, and those on the way are back," Trump explained in a social media message.
Iran insists that Lebanon enters into a ceasefire agreement and warns that Israeli attacks will have consequences
Despite the ceasefire, Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has in recent hours ordered the army to bomb the Beirut region of Hezbollah as its stronghold.
One dead, dozens wounded, nearly 900 arrested and 178 officers beaten in the riots following the PSG victory
The Minister of the Interior has explained that 45% more arrests were made than last year, when a large police apparatus was deployed across the country in anticipation of riots. French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "fed up with unacceptable scenes of violence."
Colombia's far-right wins the first round, and the left questions the computing system
The far-right Abelardo de la Espirella has advanced left on Sunday in the first round of the Colombian elections, which will take place on June 21 and will face the left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda.
A man recently returned from Congo has been isolated in Sardinia, Italy, on suspicion of Ebola
The man returned from the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on a flight that landed in Rome yesterday, Saturday, and then took another flight to Sardinia, where he reported that he had been in a fever for several days.
France calls for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council for Israeli operations in Lebanon
In mid-April, Israel established a "yellow line" (such as the one it applies in Gaza) that runs about ten kilometres from the border between the two countries, and the perimeter between them was invaded by Israeli troops.